QUETTA, OCT 25 /DNA/ – A field visit by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) has been completed to Baluchistan to monitor main activities in the framework of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Programme, in particular in Lasbela and Khuzdar districts.

During April 2023, Pakistan-Italy Debt Swap Programme PIDSA allocated PKR 500 million for the prevention of stunting in infants during the first 1,000 days of their life, through BISP Nashonuma programme, by providing nutritious food to more than 20,000 children between 6 to 24 months, breast feeding mothers and pregnant women.

The overall BISP Nashonuma programme is implemented by WFP (World Food Programme) in 157 districts all over Pakistan through 531 facilitation centers, including 35 mobile units established in public health facilities, for a total of 1,15 million direct beneficiaries. AICS Islamabad Head of Office Mr. Francesco Zatta led the Italian delegation.

During the visit of Lasbella and Khuzdar public health units, Mr. Zatta had the opportunity to review the programme’s eligibility criteria and screening activities for children and women for the allocation of specialized nutritious food and cash grants to poor families.

The BISP Nashonuma programme is achieving important results to prevent stunting in children under 2 years old, improving weight gain of women during pregnancy, reducing anemia and micro-nutrient deficiencies, enhancing awareness on maternal and early child health and nutrition, lowering disease burden through improving uptake of available health and nutrition services and preventing low birth weight.=DNA

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